Yes, today is my birthday. I had my pick of restaurants to do family dinner at tonight. Which steakhouse do I choose? Or do I go old school and go with Olive Garden? Nope. For some crazy ass reason, I’ve been craving Benihana’s for like a month. So that’s what it is. I get the beating heart rice, the smoking volcano, and the choo choo train tonight. Weeeeeeee!!! Nicholas and Olivia have never been there and I’m sure will hate it. He already asked if they have pizza there. Ummmm, no. And since they don’t eat anything besides pizza, burgers, and mac-n-cheese, they might have some slim pickings over what they’ll be eating tonight. But I’m excited for my Benihana Trio which is basically making me salivate as we speak. Anyway, I cannot wait for you all to hear tomorrow’s Podcast #28 with Lesley Murphy. An amazing woman who’s been through a lot the last few months having undergone a double mastectomy. We talk about so many things – her time on Sean’s season including that World Record kiss, her travel blog, her recent 4 year relationship that ended – plus a lot more in a 90 minute conversation. Very brave woman and I can’t wait for you to hear her talk about her journey these last few months. If you haven’t followed along on Instagram or her website, you should. Just reading the comments on her IG, she’s inspired a lot of women and people like that need an outlet to tell their story. You’re gonna love her. It’ll be up tomorrow morning.
Quite a few things to get to in regards to “Bachelor in Paradise,” which begins filming this weekend. Producers are a lot more lackadaisical in terms of spoilers for this show when it comes to contestants leaving to fly to Mexico and leaving from Mexico. So just by following a lot of these people on IG or snapchat, a lot of them don’t hide the fact they are “packing” or maybe at an airport. So you’ll see tons of comings and goings over the next few weeks since close to 30 or so contestants will appear at some point or another on the show. Then some will just pretend they are going because they have nothing better to do and they want people speculating about them. Then there’s a third group of people who will be flying down there who won’t be on the actual Paradise show, which I’ll explain in a second. But here’s everything I’ve been able to gather over the last month or so in regards to who will be appearing, who won’t, etc. I’m sure a lot of you will be asking afterwards, “Well, what about this person? Or what about this person?” All I’m giving you right now is everything I’ve heard up to this point. There will be plenty I don’t know about just yet. I’m just giving you what I do know or have heard up to this point.
-Probably the most important thing to know going into this season: There’s not one, not two, not three, not four…but FIVE girls going on Paradise this season that already have boyfriends. And I’m not talking about some guy they’re casually seeing at home, or some hookup they have. No, actual boyfriends who are allowing them to do this for god knows what reason. So if any of these girls by some chance just happen to get engaged at the end, just know that it’s for show and, well, frankly I don’t even know how they’d explain it away to their boyfriends back home. The five are:
Corinne: Hell, she doesn’t even hide the fact in her Snap stories as she’s constantly with him. It’s some guy apparently she’s known since high school and it’s the worst kept secret ever. Corinne is basically just going on the show because the show needs her, she knows what she needs to do, and will be there to make Taylor’s life miserable.
Alexis & Astrid: I put these two together because if you’ve followed them on social media in the last couple months, you’ll notice that these two seem to spend an awful lot of time in Dallas together. No, it wasn’t because they were visiting Rachel since Rachel was off filming. It’s because both of their boyfriends live here. Scroll their IG’s since March or so. You’ll see plenty of pictures of them together but without their boyfriends in the picture. They’re there. They just conveniently didn’t want anyone to know they were with them. Oh, except this one:
Word travels fast in Dallas lemme tell ya’. Alexis boyfriend is Tyler, and Astrid’s is Dylan.
Whitney: I believe his name is Raul. He’s a friend of Robert Graham. But they are definitely together.
Kristina: This is probably the most interesting one, and f***ed up one to be honest, because Kristina has been dating Jef Holm for a few months now. And they have about as jacked up of a relationship and you’d expect because, well, Jef. The guy hasn’t changed his ways in years, apparently Kristina is fully aware of this, yet doesn’t care. And if by some chance she doesn’t know this, then, she has her head buried in the sand. A pretty toxic relationship from everything I’m hearing. So will Jef be on Paradise? No. The show hates him. And he’s basically begged to be on for three seasons now and they won’t put him on. Oh, he’ll claim that he chose not to do it, but that’s his ego talking.
As I said, I have no idea how/why these guys would let these girls go on. And no, it’s not because it’s just a casual thing or a hook up. These are all couples. Obviously, couples that have serious issues and will probably never last in the long run since they basically agreed to let one go on a TV show to further their career, but that’s where it stands. So keep an eye on these five once things start getting out and see how they act on this show. Should be interesting.
-It’s been hinted at by Robert Mills numerous times in his radio show on EW the last couple months, but I can confirm that Evan and Carly are getting married in Paradise this summer. Don’t know the exact date but it will happen towards the end of filming. So when I said earlier that there will be people traveling to Paradise but won’t be on the show, this is what I’m talking about. There will definitely be former contestants in attendance at this wedding that you’ll probably see at the airport or snapping “packing” pics in a few weeks that you may think are leaving to Mexico to be on Paradise, but they’d just be people attending Evan and Carly’s wedding.
-The two seasons that will be most represented on Paradise will be the two most recent seasons: Nick’s girls and Rachel’s guys. Remember, last season THIRTEEN of Ben’s girls showed up at some point during Paradise, and NINE of JoJo’s guys did. So expect close to the same this season, as I’m hearing roughly the same number of Nick’s girls will be appearing. The five I mentioned above and these:
Danielle Lo: Was there ever any doubt?
Raven: Another given
Danielle Maltby: She even went and got herself a new pair of boobs just for the occasion
Jasmine Goode: I expect her to be there a while
Taylor: Strictly to get embarrassed by Corinne. Horrible decision by her to do this.
Christen Whitney: I included her last name just in case you forgot. The virgin.
Those six plus the five named earlier will absolutely be there. The “rumored” names from Nick’s season I’ve heard but have no idea if they will end up making the final cut are: Jaimi King, Lacey Mark, and Sarah Vendal. Could absolutely be others that end up on, but these are the ones I’m hearing about.
As for the guys, here’s who I’m pretty certain will be on the show:
Robby Hayes: Will absolutely be part of the original cast. He’s basically been planning this ever since last year. Remember that thing that came down a month ago regarding him possibly dating some girl from “Are You the One?” Yeah, well that all happened while he was basically hooking up with Sarah Vendal. But you wouldn’t know that since he never posted or told anyone about Sarah. He’s since ghosted Sarah and is doing Paradise because of course he did. They’ll either bring Sarah on and have built in drama between those two (if they decide to talk about their past), or avoid bringing Sarah on all together since they want to make it seem like Robby is looking for love. Funny.
Chase McNary: Since he and Robby are boys and live and own a business together now, you’d think one couldn’t take a dump without the other. I’m not 100% sure if Chase is doing it. The guy said in a previous interview basically that he’d feel like he’s taking a step backwards if he did, but I don’t buy that for a second from the guy since I’ve heard other contestants say that who eventually ended up on the show. Not quite sure if he’s 100% in yet. I’m hearing he’s on the next season of “Vanderpump Rules,” though I have no idea in what role that would be. Something tells me he’ll end up on Paradise at some point. He’s too starving for attention not to.
Ben Zorn: Definitely will be part of original cast.
Chris “Cupcake” Strandburg: Original cast. UPDATE: You can scratch him off the list. Didn’t get cast.
Alex Woytkiw: Will be on at some point.
Rachel’s guys:
Jack Stone, Brady Ervin, Matt Munson, DeMario Jackson, Alex Bordyukov, Dean Unglert. I’ve heard so many different stories of which of Rachel’s guys are going, but those are the names that have come up the most, so I’d count on them being there at some point. Would not be surprised if guys like Iggy, Kenny, Anthony, Lee, Adam, Blake E, and Whaboom showed up.
-If you’re looking for who will be part of the original cast on the girls side, I’m hearing Jasmine, Corinne, Raven, Alexis, and Kristina. Outside of Nick’s season, Amanda Stanton is definitely confirmed to be doing it, and I’m sure she’ll be part of the original cast. As for the guys, Robby, Ben Z, and Cupcake are original cast I believe, as well as Jack Stone and possibly DeMario. The initial cast for the men is tougher because they have so many directions they could go in. Remember, in the first episode, there’s always more from one sex than the other, and the sex that has fewer people will be the ones giving out roses first, thus eliminating the excess of the other sex. Got it? Good.
-As for who’s hooked up from these people that I’ve named, as far as I know, no one has. Then again, half of Nick’s girls have boyfriends off the show, so I’m not really sure exactly how that’s gonna play out. But make no mistake, there will be engagements happening this season. Probably multiple ones. It’s just gonna be hard to buy any of them with what this show has turned into.
-Some other names in the mix that I’ve heard come up from past seasons, and what I’m hearing:
Derek Peth: This is an interesting one. I had heard rumors that Derek and Olivia Caridi were a thing, so much so that they were planning on going on Paradise “together.” But then I heard he ended things with her, and I quote exactly, “because he didn’t want to date anyone from the franchise.” When I did Olivia’s podcast a couple weeks ago, I just went straight to the source and asked her flat out if what I heard was true. She confirmed what I’d heard. Yet, Derek’s probably going on Paradise. Ummm, Derek you do realize that breaking up with the girl because you don’t want to date anyone from the franchise then going on Paradise to, well, date people from the franchise, is about the stupidest thing you can ever say to a girl you’re dumping, right? Just checking. And by the way, you will hear my appearance on Olivia’s podcast next Tuesday she tells me. You don’t wanna miss that one. We cover A LOT of stuff. I’ll post the link to it once it’s up.
Arie: I’ve been told he’s not doing it.
Luke Pell: He went on Ben and Ashley’s podcast and said he’s not doing it. Didn’t give a reason why, but I can tell you why. He’s “dating” that Holly Allen girl. And I use the term “dating” quite loosely when it comes to Luke. We know all about his shenanigans. She’ll learn the hard way eventually. Don’t say you weren’t warned Holly.
James Taylor: Was gonna do it, but his IG post last week said he’s now dating someone new.
Sarah Herron: Was gonna do it, but now has a boyfriend.
Caila Quinn: Told wasn’t doing it.
Jared Haibon: It’s possible because, as you see next, Ashley isn’t. It would be the first time Jared would get to do the show without essentially being c**kblocked by Ashley the whole time.
Ashley I.: She says she’s not.
Chad Johnson: I honestly have no idea what’s going on with this clown anymore. Wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if he made an appearance. Also wouldn’t be surprised if he’s out. Total wild card.
I’m sure there are other names I’m forgetting, but these are the ones that have come up most frequently in the last month to me. Remember, they also every season have dipped back quite a few seasons and cast a few total randoms that the audience barely remembers, so you know can expect that to happen this season as well.
A couple final notes about the show that I’m hearing:
-Jorge the bartender no longer works at the Playa Escondida Resort and won’t be a part of the show. Rumors were that they were going to bring in a former male contestant to play the “bartender” role to serve drinks and talk to the women, but eventually that person would end up going on dates. Not sure if this is still happening.
-Rumors swirling that some of the cast will be people who aren’t affiliated with the show. Kinda like how they did with “Bachelor Pad 2” bringing in “fans.” Again, we’ll know soon enough if this happens.
-Also rumors that there will be more of a game element this season, but you gotta remember, this show is basically produced on the fly. Three seasons under their belt they kinda have an idea of what they want to do, but nothing is ever set in stone. They kinda just wing it as they go along.
-Can confirm one date for you that will be happening on Monday, and if you’re down there, you can actually be a part of. This was posted in the local online paper down there. Drag queens! Wonderful.
So I hope that holds you over. Obviously social media is huge as you’ll be able to see a lot of people coming and going on IG and snaps. Hopefully I’ll have all your spoilers for you sometime in the beginning of July. I realize that Rachel’s season has been a little bit tougher to get a hold of certain things, but hey, every season is different. All I can do is hope that sources will come through for me once Paradise is over. They have the first three seasons of it as you knew the ending of all three seasons at least a month before it aired. Will keep you updated all throughout filming on things that I’m hearing.
